Sen. Lugar says Obama in need of support

WASHINGTON, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Richard G. Lugar, R-Ind., said Sunday President Barack Obama is in need of public support ahead of his announcement on the war in Afghanistan.

Appearing on CNN's "State of the Union," Lugar said Obama's scheduled announcement regarding his approach to the war in Afghanistan comes at a point when the president is in need of improving his support at home and abroad.

"The president is in a moment in which he really has to regain the approval of the American people, as well as people around the world, that we are on the right course," Lugar said regarding Tuesday's speech. "This is why this speech and the plan is so important."

U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., told "State" host John King that Obama needs to use Tuesday's speech to clarify the importance of the U.S. military efforts in Afghanistan.

"I think he has to make a speech that shows that all of our efforts are pointed to our reduced presence in Afghanistan. But I think he has to also indicate again and again how critical this is to our national security," Reed said.

"The elements, the al-Qaida elements that attacked us on 9/11 are still on the Afghan/Pakistan border," he added. "We still have to keep up the pressure."